Consumer Protection Booklet

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Business Services and Consumers a question about consumer protection for Indigenous Australians.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: I understand that, earlier this year, consumer protection agencies across Australia released a publication aimed at assisting Aboriginal Australians to understand their consumer rights. Minister, will you update the chamber on Consumer and Business Services' involvement in the release of the Be Smart—Buy Smart publication earlier this year?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am pleased to advise members about Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and their involvement in the national launch of the Be Smart—Buy Smart publication on 12 March 2014. CBS led a national project to develop an illustrated publication to assist Indigenous Australians to understand their consumer rights. The new Be Smart—Buy Smart booklet provides helpful tips and information for Indigenous consumers about their shopping rights and responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law. I am advised that Indigenous Australians living in remote areas are often targeted by dodgy traders and scammers. The Be Smart—Buy Smart booklet offers advice and assistance to prevent unfair treatment when shopping.

The government wants to help Indigenous Australians understand their legal rights and obligations and protect them against unfair trading practices. Consumer protection agencies across Australia are taking a proactive—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Will honourable members please allow the minister to give an answer in silence? If you want to have any discussion, you can always go outside.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Thank you, Mr President. Consumer protection agencies across Australia are taking a proactive step to engage with Aboriginal consumers to improve the behaviour of traders in the marketplace. The booklet provides information through simple messages and illustrations, complementing other services offered individually by Consumer and Business Services and other consumer protection agencies. The booklet covers topics such as shopping rights, credit and book up, refunds, guarantees, warranties, lay-by, contracts, scams, resolving issues, and lodging a complaint.

The project was a joint consumer awareness initiative by all state and territory consumer protection agencies in Australia, with support from the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy reference group. The new booklet was launched nationally earlier this year, with thousands of copies of the booklet having been distributed across the country, including a recent Sorry Day event held in Adelaide at Victoria Square in May. The Be Smart—Buy Smart booklet is available for viewing on the CBS website, or free copies can be obtained by calling 131 882.

CBS is also currently developing a consumer rights DVD aimed at Aboriginal consumers living on the APY lands. The DVD, titled Deadly Dollars—Something for Nothing, will depict what can happen to an Anangu family when lumbered with debts caused by expensive contracts and impulsive purchasing. The script has been developed in close consultation with locals from the lands, including residents, community leaders and community service providers. Filming for the video occurred last month, with local actors speaking Pitjantjatjara. English text will be overlaid so that the video can be viewed by Aboriginal people from other areas across South Australia.

The government hopes to finalise the launch of the DVD in coming months and these initiatives demonstrate the government's contribution and commitment to ensuring all South Australians have a better understanding of their consumer rights and are protected from unfair business practices. Every South Australian has a right to be protected equally under the Australian Consumer Law.